![Trimming composites gets the full PPE job. [Credit: Eric Stewart]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/7-2.jpg?w=534&h=462&crop=1 "A Few of My Favorite Tools")
![Lowell Farrand spent years serving as an FAA DAR and is in the EAA Hall of Fame. He offers sound advise to builders. [Credit: Bill Wilson]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/unnamed-4.jpg?w=265&h=198&crop=1 "Think Like a Builder")
![Author Bill Wilson takes a break from measuring and cutting the Lexan windshield during his Onex build. [All Images Credit to Bill Wilson]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/image-2.jpg?w=265&h=198&crop=1 "Think Like A Builder")
Oil Recycling
We all try our best to recycle and protect the environment. We haul waste oil to a recycle facility, pour fresh oil into our...
Easy Hole Spacing
One of the curses of modern CAD technology is that designers can draw something up, then have the computer dimension it on the drawing...
Evaluating a Used Engine
How do you decide, without taking an engine completely apart, whether or not it will give you at least several years of good service?
Oh Nuts!
Well actually... "Oh nut!" What do you do when you drop a nut inside a fuel tank with a hole too small to get...
Easy Hole Spacing
One of the curses of modern CAD technology is that designers can draw something up, then have the computer dimension it for them on...
In Case You Missed It
Down to Earth
Flight instruction has its challenges, but it has many rewards as well. Amy Laboda reflects on her recent successful launch of a brand new pilot.
Watch Those Sharp Edges
Grommets and bushings provide simple, inexpensive protection from sharp edges of all kinds.
Sometimes...
![Pat McKiernan has found that he and his dad who built this beautiful RV-7 simply learned to enjoy the build. [Credit: Bill Wilson]](https://www.kitplanes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Builder.jpg?w=324&h=160&crop=1 "Life Lessons From Building an Airplane")
Life Lessons From Building an Airplane
People begin building aircraft for many reasons. Some dream of flight in an airplane...
Flight Review: Power Promises
Marc Cook flies two GlaStar Sportsman 2+2s with two different engines, and a winner emerges. More power!